Chapter 92
) [Illustration]
As the time for the entrance ceremony approached, people flocked to the central hall.
In an instant, the hall was filled with students in school uniforms.
Watching countless students from behind the stage, we were overwhelmed.
“I can’t help but feel nervous about this.”
Standing on the stage, he felt the weight of all eyes on him, which made him feel a certain pressure.
Moreover, not only were they present, but also clan scouts and media personnel were in attendance.
The entrance ceremony was being broadcast through the cameras installed in the central hall.
Cityeun, who had mentioned feeling nervous just a while ago, could understand the anxiety.
In such a situation, Yeonha could hardly keep calm.
“What do I do, what do I do, what do I do, what do I do….”
“…Yeonha?”
“Is there no rabbit hole around here?”
“Why suddenly looking for a rabbit hole?”
“To hide in. Sorry, I can’t do it. Going out in front of so many people, I feel like I’ll die.”
“People do that without dying.”
“I, I’m not… human… no, I don’t want to be human.”
“If you’re not human, then what are you?”
“Rab, rabbit…. Ouch!”
“Pull yourself together, Yeonha.”
“Ugh….”
“You’re not alone in taking the oath, I’ll be right next to you. So don’t worry, I’ll stick by your side.”
“…Will you be my rabbit hole?”
“Well, then… if you really can’t handle it, come hide inside my clothes as a last resort.”
“…I’ll leave that as a last resort.”
I dropped the hand that Yeonha had raised between her rabbit ears.
She, who turned her gaze towards me from the central hall, seemed to gradually calm down.
“If you stand here, you might obstruct the passing people, so let’s go over there.”
“Yeah….”
Continuing to watch will inevitably make one self-conscious.
It’s not good for Yeonha.
I took her wrist and led her to a place where the situation offstage was less visible.
Then, I made her sit on a chair, stood in front of her, blocking her view.
“Aren’t you going to sit?”
“I find it more comfortable like this.”
“If someone aspiring to be a hunter struggles this much, it’s not right. After we finish the freshmen oath later, you can sit comfortably. Let’s keep practicing until then.”
“Yeah…. Thank you, really.”
What exactly is she thankful for?
I looked down at Yeonha, who had her hands on her crossed legs, and smiled.
After that, we spent the remaining time practicing the oath.
[We will first swear allegiance to the flag. Students and guests, please rise and face the Taegeukgi in front of you….]
Before we knew it, the entrance ceremony had begun.
I, with my back turned to Yeonha, looked up at the stage.
The familiar accompaniment and voice I had heard in my past life echoed through the hall.
Next, we will have the national anthem. Only the first verse will be sung.
Next is the school anthem.
The event proceeded as explained in the briefing.
For the school anthem performance, senior students who had been assigned roles took the stage and sang.
The students had to sing along in tune with the lyrics displayed on the screen.
After the formal event concluded, So Hye-ryul walked out onto the stage.
“Hello, everyone. I sincerely congratulate you on being accepted to Geumgang Academy. I am So Hye-ryul, the director of this academy.”
“….”
“Becoming a hunter is not easy. It’s tough. Even if you work hard, your efforts may not always be rewarded. Hunters are those who live a life where they don’t know when, where, or how they might die. Perhaps you are already aware of this. Yet, today, you are taking your first step into the world of hunters. As someone who lives in this world, I congratulate you, support you, and respect you.”
With a small stature, So Hye-ryul stepped onto the platform to deliver her speech.
Despite her youthful appearance, she exuded a mature aura and didn’t romanticize the idea of being a hunter.
She shared only the harsh realities with the students who were entering to become hunters.
Although she didn’t peek beyond the stage, it seemed like the students were listening to the speech with a sense of solemnity.
“You are excellent. However, there are many people in the world who are more excellent than you. As you spend the next three years at the academy, you will come to realize and accept this. Some may receive recognition, while others may face disappointment. Anyone can make an effort. The importance of effort cannot be overlooked, but it doesn’t guarantee a reward. Above all, those who work hard cannot always defeat those who are talented.”
It was a line that also appeared in the game.
So Hye-ryul’s speech hinted that, unlike the youthful academy genre portrayed in the game, the world view was not entirely bright.
For me, who had first encountered this game in a previous life, this scene left a lasting impression in my memory.
Seeing that scene firsthand now brought a fresh wave of emotions.
However, unlike in the game, where you face her head-on on the stage, here, you had to see her profile from the backstage.
As her speech came to an end,
“Nevertheless, I salute you all. Until the moment of graduation, keep honing yourself like a diamond that becomes more beautiful with each polish. I hope that you will learn a lot at the academy and be able to venture out into the world.”
With those words, So Hye-ryul bowed in farewell.
Amidst the solemn atmosphere, a light round of applause broke out.
She listened to the applause, turned, and descended from the stage.
“Huh?”
At that moment, her gaze briefly paused.
It felt like her yellow eyes were looking at me.
“Hello?”
Just in case, I nodded, and she lightly bowed in return.
Soon, she, wearing high-heeled shoes, disappeared to the other side with her secretary, Oh Seung-a.
“It seems I caught So Hye-ryul’s eye.”
Well, considering how many mistakes I made in the exam, it would be strange if I didn’t catch her eye.
I decided to wait and watch the rest of the entrance ceremony until it was my turn.
Before long, it was Do Si-eun’s turn.
“Next, we will have the student council president’s speech.”
Swinging the pink tassel.
With a sword at her waist, Do Si-eun, bathed in the spotlight, walked onto the stage.
Her blue eyes seemed to scan the audience.
“Hello. I sincerely welcome the new students to their enrollment. In the future, you will accumulate various experiences here at this academy and progress in the city of academies. In that process…”
The sound of rustling fills the air.
Though it wasn’t a tremor, there seemed to be a mysterious allure in the sound that captured people’s gaze.
Standing on the platform, Dosi-eun’s profile looked different from what I was used to seeing.
There was a sense of immaculateness in everything, a thoroughness, as if she held a strict measure even towards herself without exception.
It suited the title of Student Council President.
With her back straight and standing tall, Dosi-eun exuded that kind of aura.
“…It’s the same as the one she showed in the game.”
But this wasn’t her true self.
Unlike what was seen on stage, Dosi-eun, upon closer inspection, was surprisingly vulnerable, had a somewhat awkward side to her, and was a forgiving and generous person.
There probably weren’t many who knew this side of her, maybe even including myself.
I felt a sense of superiority from the audience watching her in the main hall.
A smile crept up my lips involuntarily.
[…As the newly appointed Student Council President this year, I also want to walk the path with all of you for the first time. I hope this year will be meaningful and fulfilling for each of you. This concludes Dosi-eun, the 143rd Student Council President of Geumgang Academy. Thank you.]
Before long, Dosi-eun finished her speech and turned away from the platform.
Soon, as she descended from the stage, our eyes met.
She grinned at me.
It seemed like she was saying, “You were nervous, huh?”
That was what she was nervous about?
Feeling baffled, I silently moved my lips after her.
“Well done. Noona, you were amazing.”
“…Thank you.”
A smile lit up her blue eyes.
* * *
The waiting time exacerbates anxiety.
Since Dosi-eun finished her speech and left the ceremony hall for an appointment.
Yeong-haneul anxiously awaited her turn.
“Ugh….”
She wished the time wouldn’t come.
She wished time would just stop right there.
Consumed by anxiety, Yeong-haneul was now on the verge of blurting out random things.
“Gyunwoo, sing for me.”
“What? Why suddenly a song?”
“You know, that one. That one.”
“How would you know if I just say ‘that one’? What is it even?”
“Could you be my hero, baby~.”
“….”
“Put up the café sign here as well.”
“You… have really lost it now.”
“I wish you had lost it instead. Can’t you knock me out with your sword? Switch to the Reverse Daybreak Sword!”
“I’m sorry, but I have a principle of not drawing my sword for trivial matters. I have my beliefs too, you know.”
“Stop trying to act cool and say weird things!”
“I’m saying what I want to say to you. Control yourself a bit.”
“Ugh….”
“Control yourself!”
“Ouch!”
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Dogyeonwoo playfully struck Yeonha’s neck with a hand that lacked strength.
Her head followed suit.
She moaned, rubbing her completely unharmed head and neck.
“Feeling more composed now?”
“Than earlier, I suppose….”
“Still trembling?”
“I’d rather see the world end than keep trembling like this.”
“…But let’s not go as far as ending the world.”
Of course, she didn’t genuinely wish for the world to end.
It was merely a figure of speech.
She never had the power for such things.
Ignoring Yeonha’s peculiarly dismissive attitude, Dogyeonwoo breathed deeply.
Hoo, ha, hoo, ha.
Repeating the process of inhaling and exhaling seemed to calm his mind.
[Next will be the oath of the new students. Would all new students please rise from their seats. The student representatives for this year, entering as the top and second top students, are Yeonha and Dogyeonwoo.]
…It was a lie.
Yeonha jumped in surprise at the sound coming from the speaker.
She was finally here.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Gyeonwoo….”
“It’s okay, let’s go.”
It was far from okay.
Yeonha lowered her head heavily.
Her feet didn’t land as gracefully as she thought they would.
It was as if they were sticking to the ground.
She began to walk slowly, very cautiously.
Dogyeonwoo, who had been walking ahead, turned to look at her and sighed.
“Can’t be helped. Here.”
“…What’s this?”
Dogyeonwoo suddenly reached out his hand.
Yeonha looked puzzled, unable to understand his intention.
With a casual tone, he said,
“Since it seems like you can’t walk, I’ll escort you to the stage. But you have to walk alone from there.”
“….”
“Here, take my hand.”
“…Hand.”
Even if not a puppy.
Yeon Ha-neul responded like a puppy, placing her hand on Do Gyun-woo’s palm.
He chuckled softly and held her hand.
“Let’s go. We might get called if we linger.”
[New students’ representative, please come up to the stage promptly.]
“I already called. Let’s go.”
“Ah… Sure.”
His hand was rugged.
Stiff and solid.
Meanwhile, Do Gyun-woo’s hand was so big that it almost engulfed her own.
She couldn’t help but think her hand was this small.
The firm grip was unsettling.
But not unwelcome.
In the touch she couldn’t resist, she keenly felt the difference between a man and a woman.
Lost in that thought, Yeon Ha-neul didn’t hear the sound coming from the speakers.
“Ah….”
When she came to her senses, she had already ascended the stairs.
One step further was the stage.
Up ahead, Do Gyun-woo was slowly moving towards the stage.
While casting a sidelong glance at her.
“….”
Do Gyun-woo gazed at her.
She gazed back at Do Gyun-woo.
Fixating her gaze on him, Yeon Ha-neul soon made her way to the brightly lit stage.
The central hall brimmed with countless gazes, seemingly fixated on her.
“Isn’t she the apprentice of the Seven-Colored Witch?”
“She was the top student in admissions, right….”
The rabbit-like ears that missed no whisper caught the murmurs of the people.
But Yeon Ha-neul was unfazed.
She was solely conscious of Do Gyun-woo.
Eventually.
“You made it.”
“…Yeah.”
Yeon Ha-neul stood beside Do Gyun-woo.
Her face softened at his dignified smile.
She ascended the platform with him and looked out over the central hall.
She met the gazes of the people.
“….”
The unease hadn’t completely disappeared.
To say she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.
Her heart fluttered, her pulse throbbed.
Her legs felt weak.
Her mind blanked out.
Yet, the fresh air managed to soothe her mind barely.
‘Ah, such a lovely scent.’
A citrus fragrance, crisp and subtly sweet, stimulated her sense of smell.
It was a scent she liked.
Her mind calmed down.
Breathing in the scent next to her, she once again became aware of Dokyunwoo.
She wasn’t afraid of the people’s gazes.
Because he was by her side.
Then, he quietly asked.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Shall we then?”
“Let’s.”
She nodded.
A pledge was placed on the platform.
The two of them faced the people, reading the contents of the pledge.
[Having lived different lives, we are now moving towards the same dream. Going forward, we will support each other in procedures….]
Representing the new students, conveying their aspirations to the new students, seniors, and academy instructors.
There was no trembling in her voice.
Her voice spread through the audience via the microphone.
‘What did Sieni unnie say? When you’re nervous, think about what you’ll do after it’s over….’
They decided to have drinks with friends to celebrate their admission in the evening.
It was the first time they would drink alcohol since birth.
They were worried yet excited.
At some point, recalling Dosiun’s advice, Yeonhae gradually shook off her tension.
[Pledge.]
“Pledge.”
The two of them raised their hands and spoke.
The students in the central hall all followed suit with their actions.
[I pledge my name and soul.]
[To dedicate to the homeland, protect humanity.]
[And never yield to any threat.]
[Without fearing death.]
[Without losing a just heart.]
[Contributing to world peace.]
[I swear here to faithfully fulfill the duty of a Hunter.]
[Until this heart beats its last.]
The two paused for a moment.
They waited until the students’ chatter died down before signaling.
[Geumgang Academy 145th Class.]
[Yeon, Ha, Neul.]
[Do, Gyeon, Woo.]
Each revealed their own name.
The students all lowered their hands in unison.
***
As they looked at the words appearing on the screen,
The students took their oath.
Kang Hanbyeol was among them.
[Geumgang Academy 145th Class.]
[Yeon, Ha, Neul.]
[Do, Gyeon, Woo.]
“Kang, Han, Byeol.”
The top and second-ranked students gracefully lowered their hands.
Following suit, Kang Hanbyeol caught the eye of one among them.
It was Dogyeonwoo, the top student of the Shingeom Doga.
“He’s the grandson of the Grandmaster.”
The aura surrounding Dogyeonwoo, as heard from his master Seo Jeongjin, was grand and regal, almost like a lion ruling over all beasts, truly a lion-like appearance fit for the king of commoners.
So it was expected that his grandson, Dogyeonwoo, would possess a similar appearance, but to everyone’s surprise, it was quite different from what was imagined.
“…”
Tall and broad-shouldered, yet his physique was nothing out of the ordinary.
He might even be slightly on the thin side.
On the other hand, his facial features were slender, and his expression was gentle.
His face bore no resemblance to the lion, the symbol of the Shingeom Doga.
If one were to compare, he might resemble a herbivore like a rabbit.
It was somewhat understandable why he was given the nickname “Rabbit.”
Even so,
“One must not let their guard down.”
Judging someone based on appearances is not advisable.
The fact that Dogyeonwoo entered as the second-ranked student indicated that he possessed sufficient skills.
It’s not a foe to be underestimated.
Gang Hanbyeol kept staring endlessly until Dogyeonwoo, who was leaving the stage, was no longer in sight.
A smile curved on his lips.
“I wonder how strong he is.”
Whether it was the student president Doh Si-eun who gave a speech a while ago or Dogyeonwoo, both of them.
They ignited Gang Hanbyeol’s competitive spirit.